AlmaLinux is a RHEL-based distro that aims to provide binary compatibility with RHEL, but the distro has been steadily improving on areas above and beyond RHEL. One of those areas is compatibility with hardware that RHEL has dropped.

“Releasing AlmaLinux 8.10 less than one week after the release of RHEL 8.10 proves again the power of AlmaLinux community and its ability to deliver on speed, quality, and security,” said lead architect at AlmaLinux, Andrew Lukoshko. “Powered by people and organizations that provide infrastructure and deep technical knowledge, we have proven our commitment to deliver the enterprise Linux that people need.”

Some of the hardware AlmaLinux 8.10 supports includes:

• Aacraid – Dell PERC2, 2/Si, 3/Si, 3/Di, Adaptec Advanced Raid Products, HPNetRAID-4M, IBM serveRAID & ICP SCSI
• be2iscsi – Emulex OneConnect Open-iSCSI for BladeEngine 2 and 3 adapters
• hpsa – HP Smart Array Controller
• lpfc – Emulex LightPulse Fibre Channel SCSI
• megaraid_sas – Broadcom MegaRAID SAS
• mlx4_core – Mellanox Gen2 and ConnectX-2 adapters
• mpt3sas – LSI MPT Fusion SAS 3.0
• mptsas – Fusion MPT SAS Host
• qla2xxx – QLogic Fibre Channel HBA
• qla4xxx – QLogic iSCSI HBA
• be2net – Emulex BladeEngine 2 and 3 adapters

In addition continued hardware compatibility, AlmaLinux 8.10 brings a number of additional improvements.

Updates in 8.10 also bring improvements in web-console and system roles to automate operations and ensure consistency in intricate IT settings. The new system roles streamline the creation and administration of logical volume manager (LVM) snapshots for better data backup and recovery processes. Additionally, AlmaLinux 8.10 further enhances system availability and recovery processes while also improving virtual machine snapshot functions in hybrid cloud scenarios.

Project leaders emphasized how this latest release emphasizes the commitment to keeping pace with RHEL releases.

“Our consistently speedy releases, as illustrated by today’s announcement and the recent release of
9.4, underscore the reliability and timeliness offered via AlmaLinux,” said benny Vasquez, chair of
the AlmaLinus OS Foundation. “With AlmaLinux, users can confidently deploy robust, scalable, and
secure Linux environments, ensuring seamless integration and maximum operational efficiency.”

Once a 1:1 RHEL clone, AlmaLinux has adapted to be application binary compatible since Red Hat began restricting access to its source code. As a result, AlmaLinux developers have been free to improve on some areas, going beyond RHEL’s limitations while still maintaining full compatibility.

AlmaLinux 9.4, and now 8.10, continue to demonstrate the project’s role in providing a free and fully open-source alternative to Red Hat.

The Crucial Role of Investment Strategies in Startups 

For startups, investment strategies are not just about securing funds; they’re about building a foundation for sustainable growth. These strategies encompass equity and debt financing, venture capital engagement, and effective cash flow management. The challenge for many startups lies in their limited resources and expertise in navigating a complex financial landscape. 

Enter the fractional CFO, a seasoned financial expert who offers their services on a part-time or need-based arrangement. Their role in shaping and guiding a startup’s investment strategy is multifaceted and can be the difference between thriving growth and stagnation. 

Strategic Financial Planning and Market Analysis 

Fractional CFOs bring a wealth of experience in financial planning and market analysis. They assist startups in understanding their market position, identifying potential investment opportunities, and evaluating risks. This strategic planning is vital for startups to make informed decisions about where and how to invest their resources. 

By conducting thorough market analysis, fractional CFOs help startups understand the competitive landscape, customer trends, and economic conditions. This insight is crucial in developing investment strategies that are aligned with the startup’s long-term goals and market realities. 

Navigating Funding and Capital Raising

One of the most critical roles of a fractional CFO is guiding startups through the complexities of funding and capital raising. They play a key role in preparing investment packages, including pitch decks and financial models, which are essential for attracting investors. Their experience in dealing with venture capitalists, angel investors, and other funding sources is invaluable in negotiating favorable terms and securing the necessary capital for growth. 

Furthermore, fractional CFOs can help startups explore various funding avenues, balancing equity and debt financing to maintain optimal capital structure and shareholder value. This balanced approach is crucial for startups to avoid over-dilution of equity and maintain financial flexibility. 

Financial Oversight and Cash Flow Management 

Effective cash flow management is the lifeline of any startup. Fractional CFOs provide rigorous financial oversight, ensuring that investments are strategically aligned with business objectives. They implement robust financial controls and monitoring systems, enabling startups to track their investments’ performance and make timely adjustments. 

In addition, fractional CFOs assist in budgeting and forecasting, crucial for anticipating future cash needs and managing financial risks. This proactive approach to cash flow management helps startups maintain liquidity and avoid common pitfalls like cash crunches. 

Potential Impact of Fractional CFOs in Investment Strategy 

Consider a tech startup looking to expand its market reach. The fractional CFO could develop a strategic investment plan focusing on targeted marketing and product development. By securing venture capital funding and managing investments prudently, the startup could successfully expand its customer base and increase its market share. 

Another possible example could be a health tech startup navigating regulatory challenges. The fractional CFO could provide expert guidance on compliance-related investments, ensuring the startup’s products meet industry standards. This strategic investment would not only mitigate regulatory risks but would also position the startup as a credible player in the health tech space. 

Delivering Enterprise-Level Results to Startups 

The synergy between investment strategies and fractional CFOs offers a powerful combination for startup success. By leveraging the expertise of fractional CFOs in financial planning, funding navigation, and cash flow management, startups can develop and execute investment strategies that foster growth, resilience, and long-term viability. In an increasingly competitive and complex business environment, this synergy is not just an advantage; it’s a necessity for startups aiming to make their mark and achieve sustainable success.

While the United States remains the chief world leader in this field, there are signs that both China and India may soon overtake Uncle Sam in this strategic area. Both countries are sending thousands of students abroad to learn the latest developments in software. And then having them return home to bolster national research and development.

Custom software development, which ranges from advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning to the growing importance of cybersecurity, are not just influencing how software is developed and deployed, but also how it’s integrating into every aspect of our lives.

The overview

1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: AI and ML continue to be at the forefront of software technology trends. In 2023, we are seeing these technologies becoming more sophisticated, with increased capabilities in natural language processing, predictive analytics, and automated decision-making. AI is being integrated into a variety of applications, from customer service chatbots to advanced data analytics tools, making processes more efficient and offering new insights.

2. Increased Focus on Cybersecurity: As the digital landscape expands, so does the need for robust cybersecurity measures. In 2023, there’s a heightened emphasis on developing software that’s secure by design. This includes the integration of advanced encryption techniques, regular security updates, and the use of AI for threat detection. Companies are also focusing on educating their employees about cybersecurity to mitigate risks.

3. Cloud Computing and Edge Computing: Cloud computing continues to dominate, but there’s a growing trend towards edge computing. Edge computing involves processing data closer to where it’s generated rather than in a centralized data-processing warehouse, which reduces latency and improves speed. This is particularly important for IoT devices and applications that require real-time processing.

4. The Rise of Quantum Computing: Quantum computing, although still in its nascent stages, is starting to make more substantial strides in 2023. With its potential to process vast amounts of data at unprecedented speeds, it promises to revolutionize areas such as cryptography, materials science, and complex system modeling.

5. Sustainable and Green Software Development: With increasing awareness of environmental issues, there’s a growing trend in developing sustainable and green software. This involves optimizing software for energy efficiency, reducing resource consumption, and considering the environmental impact of development and deployment processes.

6. The Expansion of Blockchain Technology: Beyond cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology is finding applications in various sectors including finance, supply chain management, and healthcare. Its ability to offer secure, transparent, and tamper-proof record-keeping is being leveraged to improve processes and create new business models.

The results 

7. Remote Work and Collaboration Tools: The shift to remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to influence software development in 2023. There’s an increasing demand for collaboration tools that facilitate efficient remote work, including project management software, real-time communication platforms, and virtual workspace solutions.

8. Increased Use of Low-Code and No-Code Platforms: Low-code and no-code platforms are democratizing software development, allowing individuals without extensive programming knowledge to create applications. This trend is empowering more people to develop software, leading to innovation and rapid prototyping.

9. Advancements in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): VR and AR technologies are becoming more sophisticated and accessible, finding applications in training, education, entertainment, and retail. These technologies are not only enhancing user experiences but also creating new avenues for interaction and engagement.

10. Focus on User Experience (UX) Design: There’s a continued emphasis on UX design in software development, with a focus on creating intuitive, user-friendly interfaces. Good UX design is increasingly seen as a critical factor in the success of a software product.

11. Growth of Internet of Things (IoT): IoT technology is expanding rapidly, with more devices being connected to the internet. This trend is leading to the generation of large amounts of data and the need for sophisticated software to analyze and utilize this data effectively.

12. Software for Social Good: There’s a growing trend of developing software aimed at addressing social and global challenges, such as healthcare accessibility, education, and environmental sustainability. This reflects a broader shift towards socially responsible technology development.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the software technology trends of 2023 reflect a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry. From the integration of AI and ML in various applications to the focus on cybersecurity and sustainable development, these trends are not only shaping the way software is developed but also how it’s transforming businesses and impacting society at large. As we move forward, these trends will likely continue to evolve, offering new challenges and opportunities in the world of software technology.

Microsoft Threat Intelligence says bad actors have been using the ms-appinstaller URI scheme (App Installer) to distribute malware since at least mid-November 2023. Microsoft has disabled the protocol handler in an effort to combat its abuse.

The observed threat actor activity abuses the current implementation of the ms-appinstaller protocol handler as an access vector for malware that may lead to ransomware distribution. Multiple cybercriminals are also selling a malware kit as a service that abuses the MSIX file format and ms-appinstaller protocol handler. These threat actors distribute signed malicious MSIX application packages using websites accessed through malicious advertisements for legitimate popular software. A second vector of phishing through Microsoft Teams is also in use by Storm-1674.

Threat actors have likely chosen the ms-appinstaller protocol handler vector because it can bypass mechanisms designed to help keep users safe from malware, such as Microsoft Defender SmartScreen and built-in browser warnings for downloads of executable file formats.

The attacks are especially dangerous for Teams users, since the bad actors are spoofing legitimate Microsoft pages.

Since the beginning of December 2023, Microsoft identified instances where Storm-1674 delivered fake landing pages through messages delivered using Teams. The landing pages spoof Microsoft services like OneDrive and SharePoint, as well as other companies. Tenants created by the threat actor are used to create meetings and send chat messages to potential victims using the meeting’s chat functionality.

More information can be found here, including detailed analysis of the attack. In the meantime, Microsoft says organizations should educate Teams users to be able to identify and protect themselves from this exploit.

Educate Microsoft Teams users to verify ‘External’ tagging on communication attempts from external entities, be cautious about what they share, and never share their account information or authorize sign-in requests over chat.

AI is being used to generate content, with it being an especially popular option among students. Educators are anxious for tools to detect such content, with many different tools claiming to be able to do so.

Unfortunately, according to an article on the company’s website, such tools simply don’t work:

Do AI detectors work?

• In short, no. While some (including OpenAI) have released tools that purport to detect AI-generated content, none of these have proven to reliably distinguish between AI-generated and human-generated content.
• Additionally, ChatGPT has no “knowledge” of what content could be AI-generated. It will sometimes make up responses to questions like “did you write this [essay]?” or “could this have been written by AI?” These responses are random and have no basis in fact.
• To elaborate on our research into the shortcomings of detectors, one of our key findings was that these tools sometimes suggest that human-written content was generated by AI.
  • When we at OpenAI tried to train an AI-generated content detector, we found that it labeled human-written text like Shakespeare and the Declaration of Independence as AI-generated.
  • There were also indications that it could disproportionately impact students who had learned or were learning English as a second language and students whose writing was particularly formulaic or concise.
• Even if these tools could accurately identify AI-generated content (which they cannot yet), students can make small edits to evade detection.

The revelation sheds greater light on why OpenAI shuttered its own AI content detector and illustrates the challenges that lie ahead for educators and others.

The vulnerability and phishing campaign was discovered by Oleg Zaytsev and Nati Tal, researchers at Guardio Labs.

Those phishing campaigns cleverly evade conventional detection methods by chaining the Salesforce vulnerability and legacy quirks in Facebook’s web games platform. Guardio Labs has disclosed these findings and worked with Salesforce and Meta to close the vulnerabilities and misuse.

The phishing campaigns tried to trick users into going to a fake Facebook page in an effort to steal their Facebook login information, as well as their two-factor authentication information. Targets received an email that appeared to come from Meta but came from a salesforce.com domain.

So it’s a no-brainer why we’ve seen this email slipping through traditional anti-spam and anti-phishing mechanisms. It includes legit links (to facebook.com) and is sent from a legit email address of @salesforce.com, one of the worlds leading CRM providers.

The researchers praise both Salesforce and Meta for quickly addressing the issue and providing a fix to all impacted services. At the same time, they express concern over the growing sophistication of such phishing attacks, combining a range of legitimate services to thwart countermeasures.

The prevalence of phishing attacks and scams remains high, with bad actors continuously testing the limits of email distribution infrastructure and existing security measures. A concerning aspect of this ongoing battle is the exploitation of seemingly legitimate services, such as CRMs, marketing platforms, and cloud-based workspaces, to carry out malicious activities. This represents a significant security gap, where traditional methods often struggle to keep pace with the evolving and advanced techniques employed by threat actors.

It is imperative for these service providers to exercise additional caution and implement stringent measures to thwart such abuse. Taking proactive steps to keep scammers away from secure and reputable mail gateways is of utmost importance. This includes bolstering verification processes to ensure the legitimacy of users, as well as conducting comprehensive ongoing activity analysis to promptly identify any misuse of the gateway, whether through excessive volume or through analysis of metadata such as mailing lists and content characteristics.

Kudos to Salesforce and Meta’s Security teams for their prompt response to our discoveries and their ongoing efforts to enhance the security and resilience of their platforms against scammers’ attempts.

Security firm Sophos made the discovery, dubbing the malware campaign “Nitrogen.” Sophos says Nitrogen “is a primarily opportunistic attack campaign abusing Google and Bing ads to target users seeking certain IT tools, with the goal of gaining access to enterprise environments to deploy second-stage attack tools such as Cobalt Strike.”

The company goes on to describe how the malware campaign works:

The observed infection chain starts with malvertising via Google and Bing Ads to lure users to compromised WordPress sites and phishing pages impersonating popular software distribution sites, where they are tricked into downloading trojanized ISO installers.

When downloaded, the installers sideload the malicious NitrogenInstaller DLL containing a legitimate software application bundled with a malicious Python execution environment. The Python package uses Dynamic Link Library (DLL) preloading to execute the malicious NitrogenStager file, which connects to the threat actor’s command-and-control (C2) servers to drop both a Meterpreter shell and Cobalt Strike Beacons onto the targeted system. Throughout the infection chain, the threat actors use uncommon export forwarding and DLL preloading techniques to mask their malicious activity and hinder analysis.

The infection chain involves multiple stages and components, which are still under analysis at this writing.

Cisco AnyConnect, WinSCP, and TreeSize downloads are three that are specifically being targeted by the malware campaign.

Sophos recommends taking basic steps to avoid the malware, such as not clicking download links in search advertisements, using an ad blocker to hide such ads altogether, and making sure downloaded files have the appropriate file extension.

Of course, the report raises significant questions about the security measures — or lack thereof — that Google and Bing’s advertising networks offer.

Michael Schwarz was speaking at a World Economic Forum panel in Geneva, according to Bloomberg, and made the following statement:

“I am confident AI will be used by bad actors, and yes it will cause real damage. It can do a lot damage in the hands of spammers with elections and so on.”

Schwarz went on to say that he believed AI needed to be regulated but said lawmakers should tread carefully and wait to see what damage it causes to better understand how to regulate it effectively.

“Once we see real harm, we have to ask ourselves the simple question: ‘Can we regulate that in a way where the good things that will be prevented by this regulation are less important?’” Schwarz said. “The principles should be, the benefits from the regulation to our society should be greater than the cost to our society.”

Concerns regarding AI’s future have been growing, with Google’s “Godfather of AI” recently quitting the company and expressing regret over his life’s work. Dr. Geoffrey Hinton expressed similar, and much more dire, concerns as Schwarz.

“It is hard to see how you can prevent the bad actors from using it for bad things,” Dr. Hinton said.

The European Union (EU) has always been at the forefront of regulating sensitive devices. Its latest batch of regulations covering medical devices has several implications for manufacturers and the medical device market. 

MDR (medical device regulations) replace older frameworks governing the manufacture and tracking of medical and implantable devices. As these devices have grown more complex, so have the regulations surrounding them.

Here’s how a medical device manufacturer can prepare for the latest wave of EU MDR legislation.

Assess existing compliance

The current batch of laws introduce several changes and medical device manufacturers must identify deficiencies and plan to plug those gaps. One of the most critical changes involves manufacturer responsibility during post-market surveillance.

Per the EU MDR, manufacturers are now responsible for establishing a post-market surveillance system proactively. This surveillance must capture and analyze device performance in real-world conditions and feed data back for risk reassessments and clinical evaluations.

The objective here is to make sure devices are always safe and to study how their behavior changes over their lifecycle. Most manufacturers are currently unprepared to monitor lifecycle changes in this context. Beyond a few rudimentary checks, most manufacturers rely on the market for feedback.

This situation has changed and is a good example of a gap most manufacturers must plug.

Evaluate resources

Securing gaps in current devices is expensive. Firms must initiate cost analysis projects to make sure they have enough resources to cover improvements and launch new processes.

The previous point about post-market surveillance is once again apt. Initiating a larger data-gathering program is resource-intensive and will need additional technical infrastructure. That infrastructure will need maintenance by qualified personnel.

All of these cost money. Medical device manufacturers must analyze their cash flow and plan for the future as quickly as possible. A lot of investment will likely go toward upgrading existing infrastructure.

For instance, the new directives call for more integration between quality management systems and downstream processes like surveillance and clinical evaluation. Right now, these integrations are weak, to say the least, with only the largest manufacturers possessing such capabilities.

Update documentation

With additional infrastructure comes the need to update documents and technical specifications. EU MDR laws now require documentation and labeling in line with the new directives. 

Devices must now have more detailed labels, outlining device usage, risks, and clinical evidence. 

Each device must also have a unique device identifier (UDI.) The UDI must be present on all device labels since this enhances its traceability throughout its lifecycle.

Manufacturers now have to offer consumers more information than ever and need to begin shifting their processes right now to avoid falling foul of new legislation.

Develop new processes

The EU MDR introduces new processes that manufacturers may have no ability to currently service. For instance, implementing data capture and relay systems is a step too far for current manufacturers. 

The changes go beyond mere data capture. Manufacturers must now process that data and feed it back for further clinical assessment. Those assessments must feed into product updates and delivery schedules.

In short, the new MDR laws need new processes that most medical device manufacturers haven’t considered. Starting as quickly as possible is the best way forward to ensure full compliance.

Build relationships with notified authorities

The new EU MDR rules specify that every manufacturer must engage with a notified body to ensure they conform with regulations. As every device manufacturer knows, building relationships within these bodies is critical to avoiding approvals stuck in red tape.

These regulatory bodies will evaluate and assess the manufacturer’s processes before approving their devices for wider market release. These assessments are set to take time and consume plenty of manufacturer resources.

The best way for manufacturers to avoid this situation is to work closely with the body, understand what they’re looking for, and modify their workflows accordingly. Hiring people who have experience working with these bodies is also a good idea.

The right professional can smooth any conversations with the authorities, easing the manufacturer’s entry into the market.

Train employees

EU MDR represents a huge shift in the medical device market. As a result, manufacturers who install new processes must also train their employees to think according to the new rules. Fail to do this and compliance becomes highly challenging.

Manufacturers must break down the new rules so that employees can understand how it affects their jobs. Training programs are best delivered in an environment that simulates real-world scenarios. Instead of delivering never-ending seminars that simply list the new rules, companies must translate the impact of those rules.

For instance, how will post-market surveillance change clinical research roles? How will those professionals have to handle the influx of new data? Answering these questions is essential to ensuring employees remain engaged and in line with new rules.

Constant change

The medical device market routinely experiences change. Forward-thinking manufacturers always position themselves ahead of the curve by working closely with regulators and ensuring their employees are up to speed on new rules.

The EU MDR is no different. While policies will change, medical device manufacturers that align themselves with change tend to prosper.

Spiff will join Sales Cloud following the acquisition. Salesforce says Spiff’s addition will help CROs to better work with financial and sales operations teams.

“CROs and financial leaders know the importance of compensation in driving rep behavior. The challenge these leaders face is in how to align these compensation plans to desired outcomes – all while navigating data across siloed-point solutions,” says Ketan Karkhanis, EVP & GM, Sales Cloud. “Spiff connects what sellers want – transparent compensation – with what sales leaders want – compensation planning built into CRM that aligns behaviors to strategic outcomes.”

“I’m excited about the future of Spiff and about what this means for the world of SPM and ICM in general,” says Jeron Paul, CEO of Spiff. “We have always taken pride in Spiff’s pace of innovation and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make an even deeper impact on the space as part of the Salesforce ecosystem.”

The terms of the deal were not disclosed, although the deal is expected to close in the Q1 of Salesforce’s fiscal year 2025.

Overview of Online Reputation Management and the Role of AI

In today’s digital age, online reputation management (ORM) is crucial for businesses. It’s the practice of monitoring and influencing the public perception of an organization on the internet. As we look to the future, artificial intelligence (AI) is steering ORM in novel and efficient directions. AI-driven tools are now capable of scanning the vast expanse of the web to track mentions, analyze sentiments, and identify patterns that humans alone may miss. They automate the handling of vast quantities of data, responding to reviews, and flagging inappropriate content. AI also personalizes customer interactions, ensuring that the responses feel organic and tailored, thus maintaining a brand’s reputation more effectively. As ORM continues to evolve, the integration of AI not only simplifies processes but also equips businesses with the agility to preemptively address potential reputation issues.

Current Uses of AI in Online Reputation Management

AI-powered sentiment analysis

AI technology powerfully assists companies in gauging public opinion by performing sentiment analysis. These advanced tools, bolstered by machine learning and natural language processing, delve into customer feedback, reviews, and social media conversations to ascertain not just the topics of discussion, but also the emotions behind them. Such real-time analysis enables businesses to rapidly respond to the market, adjusting strategies and communications to enhance their public perception.

AI-driven social media monitoring

Further, AI-driven social media monitoring is revolutionizing how businesses track and manage their online reputations. These intelligent systems tirelessly scan multiple platforms to identify brand mentions and relevant hashtags, providing comprehensive insights. They not only detect emerging trends but also alert firms to potential PR crises before they escalate. This proactive approach to social media management is now critical in safeguarding a brand against reputational damage in the hyper-connected digital landscape.

Future Trends in AI for Online Reputation Management

As we delve into future possibilities, artificial intelligence is anticipated to become even more integral to online reputation management (ORM). Advancements in AI will enable firms to not only react to reputational issues but also to predict and pre-empt them. These technologies are expected to expand the boundaries of ORM, enhancing the way companies interact with and understand their customers.

Predictive analytics for reputation management

Moving beyond real-time analysis, AI’s role in ORM is gearing towards predictive analytics. This evolutionary step empowers companies to foresee potential reputational risks by analyzing patterns and trends from historical data. Businesses will be able to take preemptive action by understanding which areas are most susceptible to negative impressions, ensuring they stay ahead of any issues that could impact their brand’s public perception.

AI chatbots for customer engagement and support

AI chatbots are poised to play a pivotal role in ORM by offering around-the-clock customer support and actively engaging with users across various platforms. As these chatbots become more sophisticated through learning from human interactions, they will be able to handle complex queries, provide personalized responses, and even identify and alert businesses to potential reputational risks. This level of proactive engagement and support not only enhances customer experiences but also directly contributes to maintaining a positive brand image.

AI-Enhanced Review Management

As we navigate the digital landscape, AI-enhanced review management is becoming an essential tool for businesses looking to maintain a stellar online presence. Its capabilities are reshaping how companies approach customer feedback and manage their reputations online.

Automated review analysis

Taking advantage of AI-powered tools, organizations can now automatically analyze vast numbers of online reviews across different platforms. This technology categorizes sentiments, gauges customer satisfaction, and summarily provides insights that would typically require extensive manual effort. The ability to quickly process and quantify customer sentiment on a large scale enables businesses to swiftly adapt to market demands, address concerns, and refine their offerings.

AI-powered review response generation

Beyond analysis, AI technologies extend to the generation of timely and appropriate responses to customer reviews. With natural language processing capabilities, AI systems can craft personalized replies that resonate with customers’ emotions and specific comments. This not only ensures prompt responses to customer feedback but also demonstrates a brand’s dedication to customer engagement and service excellence. Such interaction solidifies relationships between businesses and their clientele, fostering loyalty and trust.

AI-Driven Crisis Management

In the vibrant and rapidly evolving world of online reputation management, artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role, particularly in crisis management. As businesses continue to digitize, the potential crises that can arise from online activities grow proportionally, making AI an indispensable tool for preemptive measures and damage control.

Real-time monitoring and alert systems

AI-driven solutions are now capable of real-time monitoring of social media, blogs, news outlets, and other digital channels for any mentions that may impact a brand’s reputation. Advanced algorithms can detect negative trends and alert companies instantly, providing the opportunity to take immediate action. This swift notification system is crucial in a digital age where information spreads rapidly, allowing businesses to manage potential issues before they escalate into full-blown crises.

AI-powered reputation repair strategies

Following the detection of a reputational threat, AI can assist in devising and implementing effective repair strategies. By analyzing past crises and outcomes, AI systems can recommend the best course of action to mitigate damage. Whether it’s through creating tailored messaging for public responses or identifying the most effective communication channels, artificial intelligence offers informed and data-driven solutions that can help restore and maintain a positive online image for brands amid challenging situations.

AI and SEO for Reputation Management

As organizations strive to safeguard their online image, AI continues to shape the landscape of online reputation management. Looking towards the future, artificial intelligence is poised to play an even more integral role, with current uses already demonstrating its significant impact on strategies and outcomes.

AI-driven keyword monitoring

Artificial intelligence enhances search engine optimization (SEO) by tracking keywords closely associated with a brand’s online presence. Utilizing AI, companies can monitor their brand mentions across various platforms with unrivaled accuracy and efficiency. AI systems sift through vast expanses of online content to alert businesses to both positive and negative mentions, enabling them to craft timely and appropriate responses. Such proactive monitoring helps prevent the escalation of issues and ensures the maintenance of a healthy digital footprint.

AI-powered content creation for online reputation enhancement

The creation of engaging and reputation-enhancing content is another arena where AI demonstrates profound capabilities. Not only can AI tools suggest relevant content topics and identify trending keywords, but they can also generate material that is geared towards improving a brand’s SEO ranking. By producing high-quality and strategically optimized content, AI assists businesses in rising above the digital noise, ensuring their brand message is heard clearly and aligns with the desired reputation objectives.

Ethical Considerations in AI for Reputation Management

As we delve deeper into the digital age, the role of AI in online reputation management continues to evolve and expand. Organizations have recognized the profound benefits that AI offers in this domain, but with rapid advancements come new ethical considerations that must be addressed to responsibly harness AI’s capabilities. The emerging trends show a heightened focus on striking a balance between automation and human oversight, as well as ensuring the protection of privacy and data within reputation management strategies.

Balancing automation and human oversight

The future trend in reputation management points towards a seamless integration of AI’s analytical prowess with the empathic and contextual insights of human intuition. While AI excels at processing vast amounts of data, discerning the nuanced implications of that data still largely rests with human experts. Companies are, therefore, emphasizing the importance of having human professionals in the loop, reviewing and interpreting AI-generated insights to ensure they align with the brand’s values and ethical standards.

Privacy and data protection concerns

Another pressing concern that accompanies the use of AI in reputation management is privacy and data protection. As AI systems require access to large datasets to monitor and analyze online mentions and sentiments, there is an intrinsic need to keep individuals’ data secure. The current use of AI has spurred discussions on the ethical collection, storage, and processing of digital footprints to prevent breaches and misuse. Future trends indicate that businesses will need to be more transparent about their AI-driven activities and take stringent measures to comply with data protection laws, thereby preserving trust and maintaining a good reputation among stakeholders.

Conclusion

In an era where online presence is virtually synonymous with reputation, AI’s role in managing this digital image has become indispensable. With real-time monitoring, sentiment analysis, and deepfake detection, AI is revolutionizing the ways in which reputations are shaped and protected online.

Summary of the current and future impact of AI in online reputation management

Currently, AI is transforming online reputation management (ORM) by providing tools that can process and analyze enormous volumes of data with exceptional speed and accuracy, allowing for proactive reputation management. Looking towards the future, AI is set to play an even more integral role. We’re expecting to see AI systems equipped with advanced algorithms that not only detect potential reputation threats but also predict them before they even occur. This proactive approach will not only mitigate issues faster but also enhance the strategic decision-making processes within businesses.

Moreover, as these technologies continue to develop, the ethical use of AI in ORM will remain a focal point, with an increasing emphasis on privacy and transparency to maintain public trust. AI’s evolution in ORM signals a future where businesses can navigate the complex digital landscape with greater confidence and foresight.

One of the challenges of virtual meetings is ensuring everyone can be seen, especially when traditional conference rooms are paired with videoconferencing. All too often, some of the attendees are hidden behind others, making it difficult for those tied in via videoconference to interact effectively with everyone.

Zoom’s Intelligent Director is designed to solve that problem.

The traditional conference room experience can come at the cost of clarity and transparency. Someone can get lost in the back of the room, or left out if they’re not in the office. Meaningful connections can’t be mutually exclusive with a physical location — we have to find ways to share information in real time, regardless of where people are.

Building on the popular smart gallery feature for Zoom Rooms, Intelligent Director, patent pending, uses multiple cameras and the latest AI technology to determine the best angle of the individuals in a Zoom Room to display within a meeting. And it’s included in existing and new Zoom Rooms.

The tool is currently available on Mac and Windows but will come to other devices in the future.

To learn more and get started, check out Zoom.com.

According to a job posting, Microsoft is looking a Principal Program Manager, Nuclear Technology to head the company’s transition to nuclear reactors to power training its AI models:

This senior position is tasked with leading the technical assessment for the integration of SMR and microreactors to power the datacenters that the Microsoft Cloud and AI reside on. They will maintain a clear and adaptable roadmap for the technology’s integration, diligently select and manage technology partners and solutions, and constantly evaluate the business implications of progress and implementation.

The ideal candidate will have experience in the energy industry and a deep understanding of nuclear technologies and regulatory affairs. This role will also be responsible for research and developing other precommercial energy technologies.

The company’s job posting illustrates the steep requirements involved in developing generative AI models.

Comprehensive Security Solutions

One of the most notable advancements in managed IT services for healthcare is the enhanced focus on cybersecurity. With the healthcare sector being a prime target for cyberattacks due to the wealth of sensitive patient data stored, robust security measures are non-negotiable. Managed IT services now offer comprehensive security solutions, including advanced threat detection, encryption, and 24/7 monitoring to identify and mitigate potential threats before they can cause harm. Moreover, these services ensure that healthcare organizations comply with stringent healthcare regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), protecting patient privacy and safeguarding against legal repercussions.

Cloud Computing and Data Management

The adoption of cloud computing in healthcare has revolutionized data management, providing a secure and scalable solution for storing patient information. Managed IT services have played a crucial role in this transition, helping healthcare providers migrate to the cloud and manage their data more effectively. By leveraging cloud technologies, healthcare organizations can ensure that patient data is accessible when and where it’s needed, facilitating better collaboration among healthcare professionals and ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.

Telemedicine and Remote Patient Monitoring

Telemedicine has seen exponential growth, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and managed IT services have been pivotal in its widespread adoption. By providing the necessary infrastructure and support, these services enable healthcare providers to offer virtual consultations, enhancing accessibility to medical care, especially for patients in remote or underserved areas. Additionally, the integration of remote patient monitoring technologies ensures continuous monitoring of patients’ vital signs and health status, allowing for timely interventions and personalized care plans.

Interoperability and Integration

Interoperability, the ability of different IT systems and software applications to communicate, exchange data, and use the information that has been exchanged, is crucial in healthcare settings. Managed IT services have significantly advanced interoperability by facilitating the integration of disparate systems, ensuring seamless data flow across various platforms and devices. This not only streamlines administrative processes but also ensures that healthcare providers have access to comprehensive patient information, leading to more informed decision-making and better patient outcomes.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in healthcare is another area where managed IT services are making a significant impact. These technologies are being utilized for a variety of applications, including predictive analytics, diagnostic assistance, and personalized treatment plans. Managed IT services ensure that healthcare organizations have the necessary computational power and expertise to leverage these advanced technologies, unlocking new possibilities in patient care and operational efficiency.

Enhanced Collaboration and Communication

Managed IT services facilitate enhanced collaboration and communication within healthcare settings, connecting doctors, nurses, and administrative staff across various departments and locations. By implementing unified communication systems and collaboration tools, these services ensure that healthcare professionals can work together effectively, regardless of their physical location, leading to improved coordination and patient care.

Continuous Monitoring and Proactive Maintenance

The continuous monitoring and proactive maintenance of IT systems are crucial in healthcare settings, where system downtime can have severe implications. Managed IT services provide 24/7 monitoring of healthcare organizations’ IT infrastructure, identifying potential issues before they can escalate and cause disruptions. Additionally, regular maintenance and updates are performed to ensure that systems are operating at optimal levels, minimizing the risk of downtime and ensuring the continuous delivery of critical healthcare services.

Customization and Scalability

Healthcare organizations vary significantly in terms of size, complexity, and the services they offer. Managed IT services for healthcare recognize this diversity, providing customized solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each organization. Whether it’s a small clinic requiring basic IT support or a large hospital needing a comprehensive IT infrastructure, managed IT services can scale their offerings to provide the necessary level of support.

Conclusion

Managed IT services for healthcare have become indispensable in today’s digital age, offering a range of solutions that enhance security, improve efficiency, and enable the adoption of the latest technologies. As healthcare organizations continue to navigate the complex IT landscape, these services will play a crucial role in ensuring they are well-equipped to provide exceptional patient care and meet the challenges of the modern healthcare environment. With continuous advancements and a relentless focus on innovation, managed IT services for healthcare are set to play an even more significant role in shaping the future of healthcare.

The airline first launched the London to Austin route in May 2022 amid the pandemic-fueled growth in the tech industry, and specifically in the Austin tech scene. However, according to Insider, the airline has announced it will end that route on January 7, 2024.

“We’ve adored flying our customers to Austin and experiencing this wonderful city of music and culture, but demand in the tech sector is not set to improve in the near term, with corporate demand at 70% of 2019 levels,” Virgin Atlantic chief commercial officer Juha Järvinen said in a statement. “Therefore, sadly, we made the tough decision to withdraw services.”

Officials for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) said they hope the airline will eventually reverse its decision and resume the route.

“AUS is grateful to the incredible Virgin Atlantic team for launching this ambitious route,” read a statement released to X. “We hope to welcome them back one day.”

Meta relies heavily on artificial intelligence moderation tools, but doing so has created some embarrassing issues for the company. A case in point is its handling of Reuven, a full-time Python trainer who has taught programming courses for companies in the United States, Europe, Israel, India, and China.

Reuven tried advertising his courses on Facebook but ultimately got distracted by other things and didn’t give it much attention. Some years later, after deciding to use Facebook advertising in earnest, he was surprised to see his account had been suspended. Reuven appealed the suspension, only to be told he was banned for life.

After reaching out on LinkedIn, Reuven discovered others who had similar issues with Facebook advertising, with the company’s bots apparently thinking that teaching Python programming and the Pandas data analysis library was synonymous with dealing in exotic animals.

At this point, Reuven reached out to friends who worked at Meta:

I’ve been in the computer industry for a while, and have no small number of contacts. Three friends who have worked at Meta (two current, one past) offered to check into this for me.

The first friend looked into it, and found that there was nothing to be done. That’s because Meta has a data-retention policy of only 180 days, and because my account was suspended more than one year before I asked people to look into it, all of the evidence is now gone. Which means that there’s no way to reinstate my advertising account.

Now, I’m not a big believer in “there’s nothing to be done,” especially when it comes to companies and software, both of which are created and managed by people. But this friend seemed convinced, so I moved onto a second one. He didn’t get any further. And the third friend? He didn’t seem to make any headway, either.

It is surprising — to say the least — that Meta’s AI moderation tools are so obtuse and that the company’s response is equally so.

Nvidia is one of the leading companies in the AI revolution, with its chips used to power a wide range of AI applications and developments. Meanwhile, Foxconn is one of the leading manufacturers for various computer and smartphone makers.

According to TechCrunch, the two companies are working together to accelerate autonomous vehicles and machines, as well as industrial robots. The “AI factories” the two companies plan to build will be advanced supercomputing data centers used to help develop and improve AI.

“We’re building this entire end-to-end system where on the one hand, you’re building this advanced EV car…with an AI brain inside that allows it to interact with drivers and interact with passengers, as well as autonomously drive, complemented by an AI factory that develops a software for this car,” said Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at a joint event. “This car will go through life experience and collect more data. The data will go to the AI factory, where the AI factory will improve the software and update the entire AI fleet.”

“This is a factory that takes data input and produces intelligence as an output,” said Huang, as Foxconn CEO Young Liu nodded in agreement. “In the future, every industry, every company will have an AI factory.”

Teams is Microsoft’s popular messaging platform that competes with Slack and Zoom. The new version ditches Electron as the backend framework, making the switch to React using Microsoft’s Edge WebView2. The company says the performance gains are significant.

Earlier this year, we ushered in a new era of Microsoft Teams with the public preview of the new Teams app. Our goal was to reimagine Teams from the ground up to deliver a faster, simpler, smarter, and more flexible app to help you stay productive and collaborate more effectively. The preview version of new Teams was up to two times faster while using 50% less memory.

The rewrite has now progressed to the point that the new version of Teams is on par with the previous one in terms of features.

We have made notable progress since the launch of new Teams in public preview. New Teams now has full feature parity for almost all features including custom line-of-business apps, third-party apps, breakout rooms, 7×7 video, call queues, PSTN calling, contextual search in chats and channels, cross-post a channel conversation, and more. We have focused on providing high-quality performance and enhancing the basics in areas such as reliability, security, and IT management to make sure that new Teams meets the evolving requirements of your organization.

With the move to general availability, new features and enhancements will be available exclusively on new Teams. New Teams includes support for Multi-tenant organizations (MTO) and multi-tenant, multi-account (MTMA), which enable seamless cross-tenant communication and collaboration beyond organizational boundaries across multiple tenants and accounts.

Microsoft also makes clear that Teams is the foundation for much of its plans surrounding the implementation of AI.

New Teams is the foundation for next-generation AI experiences, such as Microsoft Copilot. Copilot in Teams works alongside you to help you stay on top of your tasks by enabling you to get up to speed on conversations, run more effective meetings, and bring everything together in one place. Copilot in Teams chat helps you get up to speed on conversations by quickly reviewing the main points, action items, and decisions without having to scroll through long threads. You can unlock your meeting productivity by using Copilot in Teams meetings to summarize key discussion points—including who said what and where people are aligned or disagree—and suggest action items, all in real time during a meeting. Using the power of Microsoft Graph, Copilot can find and use info that’s buried in documents, presentations, emails, calendar invites, notes, and contacts and bring everything together in your Teams app.

Users can get started with the new version of Teams today.

Intel announced in February that it had struck a deal to purchase the Israeli semiconductor firm before canceling the agreement in mid-August. Intel cited an “inability to obtain in a timely manner the regulatory approvals required under the merger agreement.”

Despite the acquisition being cancelled, the two companies are strengthening their relationship with a $300 million deal that will see Intel provide foundry services to the Israeli firm. Tower will utilize Intel’s New Mexico facility to manufacture its “highly differentiated 65-nanometer power management BCD (bipolar-CMOS-DMOS) flows.”

The announcement is a big win for Intel’s foundry services as the company looks to expand its services to semiconductor firms worldwide.

“We launched Intel Foundry Services with a long-term view of delivering the world’s first open system foundry that brings together a secure, sustainable, and resilient supply chain with the best of Intel and our ecosystem,” said Stuart Pann, Intel senior vice president and general manager of Intel Foundry Services. “We’re thrilled that Tower sees the unique value we provide and chose us to open their 300mm U.S. capacity corridor.”

“We are excited to continue working with Intel,”said Tower CEO Russell Ellwanger. “As we look to the future, our primary focus is to expand our customer partnerships through high-scale manufacturing of leading-edge technology solutions. This collaboration with Intel allows us to fulfill our customers’ demand roadmaps, with a particular focus on advanced power management and radio frequency silicon on insulator (RF SOI) solutions, with full process flow qualification planned in 2024. We see this as a first step towards multiple unique synergistic solutions with Intel.”

TSMC has been building a fabrication plant in Arizona, but the project is behind schedule. The company’s latest estimates are now targeting 2025 for the plant to begin production, not 2024, as was originally predicted. TSMC management has blamed a shortage of skilled local labor, even going so far as to bring in workers from Taiwan to pick up the slack.

According to Business Insider, workers at the project are blaming “operational mismanagement and administrative chaos” for the delays.

“They keep saying we’re slowing them down, but they’re not giving us the information we need,” a pipe cutter who has worked on the project for roughly a year told Insider. “Most of us are capable of doing it if you gave us the correct information.”

The pipe worker, as well as many of the other workers, previously worked on some of Intel’s manufacturing projects and noted the night and day difference between how the two companies are managing their projects.

“At Intel, they can give me a package that says, ‘Hey, this is the equipment that I want you to build. This is the deadline. These are the standards.’ Everything you could think of,” he said. “And essentially, TSMC is the exact opposite. They just say, ‘Build this.’ And I don’t get the blueprints. There’s no planning. They essentially assume everybody just knows how to do the job. But I can’t read your mind.”

“TSMC wants you to get the job done with as little amount of information and as fast as possible,” he added.

Safety Concerns

Safety has increasingly become another major sticking point, with workers saying TSMC’s safety rules are not up to par with international standards.

“Sometimes we’ll have to do work two or three times because they’re like, ‘Well, this is how we do it in Taiwan,'” one welder told Insider. “So we build it exactly how they want it, but then as soon as it’s put in, we’re not going to sign off on it because it’s illegal. It’s against international building code.”

The pipe cutter says there are onsite safety violations, such as “hundreds of pounds of weight” hanging 20-30 feet above workers’ heads. The violations have led the pipe cutter to conclude the factory may ultimately prove to be a very dangerous place to work once it is completed.

“One of the most dangerous places to work in the United States is in a semiconductor facility because there are large amounts of chemicals,” he said. “Stuff is going to break, and when it does, these are nasty, nasty chemicals. And that’s my worry. I would not want to be in these buildings after they’re fully complete.”

Obviously, both sides are blaming each other for the delays…which in and of itself highlights the scope of the problems TSMC is facing.